How much is beer worth to your state?

Published 2:55 pm, Saturday, August 1, 2015

Photo: DEA / C.DANI / I.JESKE, Getty Images

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Wyoming: This mostly rural western state doesn't have a lot of residents (about 584,000 in 2014), but its beer industry is still making an impact. The industry was directly responsible for more than $216 million in output last year, and 2,698 people earned a combined total of $80,677,200 brewing, wholesaling and retailing that beer. Saddle up, cowboy, there's beer over them mountains. less

Wyoming: This mostly rural western state doesn't have a lot of residents (about 584,000 in 2014), but its beer industry is still making an impact. The industry was directly responsible for more than $216 ... more

Photo: DEA / C.DANI / I.JESKE, Getty Images

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Utah: Sure, this state might be a little uptight about alcohol, but that doesn't mean all those ski bums, mountain bikers and hikers don't swill plenty of beer. They swilled enough last year, it turns out, to keep 4,764 Utahns (yes, that's the correct nomenclature for Utah residents) working in the beer industry, turning out almost $400 million in economic output. less

Utah: Sure, this state might be a little uptight about alcohol, but that doesn't mean all those ski bums, mountain bikers and hikers don't swill plenty of beer. They swilled enough last year, it turns out, to ... more

Photo: Douglas Pulsipher, Credit

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North Dakota: People started heading for this northern state in droves after it became clear that an oil boom was afoot. That rush didn't hurt the beer industry, and it contributed $299 million to the state's economy in 2014. Of the state's 739,000 residents, 4,452 worked in the industry. Apparently, roughnecks like to drink beer. Who knew? less

North Dakota: People started heading for this northern state in droves after it became clear that an oil boom was afoot. That rush didn't hurt the beer industry, and it contributed $299 million to the state's ... more

Photo: The Washington Post, Credit

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Hawaii: More than 1.4 million people call this island paradise home, and with some of the highest costs of living in the U.S., they pay for the privilege. At least a good chunk of that is paying for beer, as the industry had a $561 million economic impact there last year. A tad more than 5,000 Hawaiians earned their living making or selling beer, and the industry contributed a hefty $68 million in consumption taxes alone. Drink up, braddah! less

Hawaii: More than 1.4 million people call this island paradise home, and with some of the highest costs of living in the U.S., they pay for the privilege. At least a good chunk of that is paying for beer, as ... more

Photo: Jay Jones, Credit

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Texas: The Pearl Brewery in San Antonio is just one bastion of the beer industry in the Lone Star State, where beer is no small potato. The industry rolled along faster than the tumble weeds last year to make an economic impact worth more than $7 billion. Almost 66,000 Texans earned $2.5 billion in wages working directly in the beer industry. less

Texas: The Pearl Brewery in San Antonio is just one bastion of the beer industry in the Lone Star State, where beer is no small potato. The industry rolled along faster than the tumble weeds last year to make ... more

Photo: Donovan Reese Photography, Credit

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South Dakota: Home to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands National Park, this state still sips enough suds to leave its mark. The beer industry was worth a $259 million contribution to the state's economy last year, employing 4,258 South Dakotans and paying them a combined roughly $94 million in wages. less

South Dakota: Home to Mount Rushmore and the Badlands National Park, this state still sips enough suds to leave its mark. The beer industry was worth a $259 million contribution to the state's economy last ... more

Photo: Christian Science Monitor, Credit

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Oklahoma: This clever-shaped state owes beer a thanks. The juice of hops and barley threw $1.1 billion into the state's economy last year, and put 8,214 Oklahomans to work. Combined, those Sooners earned more than $303 million in wages working in the craft of suds. less

Oklahoma: This clever-shaped state owes beer a thanks. The juice of hops and barley threw $1.1 billion into the state's economy last year, and put 8,214 Oklahomans to work. Combined, those Sooners earned more ... more

Photo: SAUL LOEB, Credit

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Idaho: The home of the Vandals is also home to no shortage of delicious beer. While the college sports teams were out "vandalizing" their opponents last year, the beer industry was kicking $459 million into the economy. Just shy of 5,000 Idaho folks earned more than $139 million in wages making and selling beer. Maybe that's what fuels all that vandalizing. less

Idaho: The home of the Vandals is also home to no shortage of delicious beer. While the college sports teams were out "vandalizing" their opponents last year, the beer industry was kicking $459 million into the ... more

Photo: Vintage Images, Credit

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California: The Golden State might be dry these days, but apparently it's not parched, as the beer industry is holding its own. Brewing and selling beer contributed $13.5 billion to the state's economy in 2014, and employed more than 106,000 Californians. Combined, they earned $4.3 billion. That's more than twice what was dug up during the Gold Rush. One might say beer is more valuable than gold. less

California: The Golden State might be dry these days, but apparently it's not parched, as the beer industry is holding its own. Brewing and selling beer contributed $13.5 billion to the state's economy in 2014, ... more

Photo: Justin Sullivan, Credit

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Minnesota: The home of the Twin Cities is hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and what better way to stay warm or stay cool than to drink beer? Well Minnesotans must think so because they're beer industry had an economic output of more than $1.9 billion in 2014. More than 25,000 Minnesotans worked in the industry, earning roughly $756 million in wages. That's a lot of beer and a lot of working, doncha know! less

Minnesota: The home of the Twin Cities is hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and what better way to stay warm or stay cool than to drink beer? Well Minnesotans must think so because they're beer industry ... more

Photo: Raymond Boyd, Credit

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Montana: The million or so residents of the Big Sky Country take their beer very seriously, and the industry is certainly giving back to the state's economy. Beer was worth almost $400 million to that economy last year, and generated roughly $142 million in wages for 4,960 Montanans. The Treasure State boasts more than 50 craft breweries that are largely located in a few populous areas. Whether they're a rancher, farmer, skier, hiker, biker or software engineer (yes, there's a growing tech sector there, too), cold beer seems to be a necessity in Montana. less

Montana: The million or so residents of the Big Sky Country take their beer very seriously, and the industry is certainly giving back to the state's economy. Beer was worth almost $400 million to that economy ... more

Photo: Credit

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Nebraska: What do most people think of when they think Nebraska? Probably corn. And rightfully so, since it is, after all, the Cornhusker State. But they ought not to forget beer, because the industry contributed more than $541 million to its economy last year. Almost 9,000 people worked in the world of beer, earning roughly $214 million in wages. And they don't even use corn in beer. Go figure. less

Nebraska: What do most people think of when they think Nebraska? Probably corn. And rightfully so, since it is, after all, the Cornhusker State. But they ought not to forget beer, because the industry ... more

Photo: Andrew Burton, Credit

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Nevada: Gambling might be big money here, but so is beer. The Battle Born State's economy saw an influx of $1.4 billion from the beer industry last year, $570 million of it in wages. That's 13,733 workers who avoided laboring in the gambling or entertainment industry. Cheers! less

Nevada: Gambling might be big money here, but so is beer. The Battle Born State's economy saw an influx of $1.4 billion from the beer industry last year, $570 million of it in wages. That's 13,733 workers who ... more

Photo: Mathew Imaging, Credit

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Colorado: Sure, weed is legal in the Centennial State, but don't forget beer. The home to Coors and New Belgium Brewing companies saw no less than $5.5 billion in economic output from the beer industry last year. More than 24,000 Coloradans working in the field took home more than $1 billion in wages. Outdoorsy people certainly seem to like their beer. less

Colorado: Sure, weed is legal in the Centennial State, but don't forget beer. The home to Coors and New Belgium Brewing companies saw no less than $5.5 billion in economic output from the beer industry last ... more

Photo: Cyrus McCrimmon, Credit

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Alaska: Home to 736,000 people who, the largest state in the U.S. sips its fair share of cold beer. The industry kicked out $219 million in economic output last year, employing 2,505 people who earned combined wages of roughly $84 million. At least beer is available for those long, dark winters. less

Alaska: Home to 736,000 people who, the largest state in the U.S. sips its fair share of cold beer. The industry kicked out $219 million in economic output last year, employing 2,505 people who earned combined ... more

Photo: John Greim, Credit

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New Mexico: This state earned its name way back in 1598, still before British brewers had even come up with India Pale Ales, but the state has come a long way since. The Land of Enchantment employed more than 7,000 New Mexicans in its beer industry last year, earning $214 million in wages and generating almost $520 million in total economic output. Enchanting indeed. less

New Mexico: This state earned its name way back in 1598, still before British brewers had even come up with India Pale Ales, but the state has come a long way since. The Land of Enchantment employed more than ... more

Photo: Ed Clark, Credit

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Oregon: With the second-most craft breweries per capital in the U.S. (216 last year), it's no surprise the Beaver State is seeing a serious economic kickback from beer. The industry brewed up roughly $1.8 billion in economic output last year, keeping almost 17,000 Oregonians at work and generating very nearly $600 million in wages. Bottoms up, that's news worth celebrating. less

Oregon: With the second-most craft breweries per capital in the U.S. (216 last year), it's no surprise the Beaver State is seeing a serious economic kickback from beer. The industry brewed up roughly $1.8 ... more

Photo: Nicolle Gonzalez, Credit

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Kansas: Truly in the middle of America, the Sunflower State hasn't forsaken beer for wind and grains. The beer industry in this heartland state produced a $664 million economic impact last year, keeping 8,894 Kansans hard at work and earning them a combined paycheck of more than $272 million. less

Kansas: Truly in the middle of America, the Sunflower State hasn't forsaken beer for wind and grains. The beer industry in this heartland state produced a $664 million economic impact last year, keeping 8,894 ... more

Photo: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Credit

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Arizona: The 6.7 million people living in the last contiguous state to enter the union sure must get thirsty out there in the desert. And they seem to be quenching that thirst with beer, as the industry brewed up $1.8 billion for the state's economy. All that beer brewing and selling employed more than 23,000 Arizonans, who brought home $840 million and change in wages. I'm getting thirsty just looking at the photo. less

Arizona: The 6.7 million people living in the last contiguous state to enter the union sure must get thirsty out there in the desert. And they seem to be quenching that thirst with beer, as the industry brewed ... more

Photo: MLADEN ANTONOV, Credit

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Washington: The Evergreen State has had a long-lasting love affair with beer, from the early days of the Olympia and Rainier breweries to the vast variety of craft breweries dotting the state today. And that love affair is not doing any harm to the state economy, pouring out more than $2.7 billion in economic output. More than 23,000 Washingtonians earned roughly $875 million in wages and the industry kicked hundreds of millions in tax dollars to the state and federal governments. Tap the keg, sir, it's good for business. less

Washington: The Evergreen State has had a long-lasting love affair with beer, from the early days of the Olympia and Rainier breweries to the vast variety of craft breweries dotting the state today. And that ... more

Photo: JOSHUA BESSEX, Credit

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How much is beer worth to your state?

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Beer is worth billions of dollars in revenue and tax dollars -- both for the federal economy and for states' economies.

Whether you're drinking it, brewing it or simply driving it around town, you're doing your part to help an industry that is no small part of the business world.

Last year, the beer industry contributed $252.6 billion to the U.S. economy, according to the Beer Serves America study, from the Beer Institute, an industry organization.

Across the country, the beer industry directly employs more than 49,570 Americans, and with all the connected industries creates more than 1.7 million jobs.

Beyond its direct contributions, the industry spawns all kinds of connected revenue -- about $83 billion from suppliers and another $60 billion in other economic activity related to beer.

On the tax side, Homer Simpson's favorite beverage is no slouch either. The Beer Institute's study estimated that beer leads to more than $48 billion in taxes to states and the federal government.

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We pulled the state-by-state data for the Western half of the U.S. and put together a slideshow. So, pull up a chair, open your favorite beer, and see if you can learn something about the value of beer in each state.